The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-28
from What we could not carry away we
burned, and not an article they could make
useful was left
CURIOSITY CAME HIGH.
A Soldier Trick to Secure New Hats
in War Times.
From the AHanta (Ga) journal.


From the Attanta (Gu.) Journal
Col JOHN C. Reed, OF Atlanta, gives the
following account of the unique plan put
into practice by the bareheaded soldier boys
around Petersburg to exc out the slender
Confederate commiSsary and supply them
selves with white hats:
lone day." saws Col Reed, "a friend of
mine came up to a group of our officers in
which was standing, and calling me aside
put up his hands and whispered in my ear
Go away! you don't mean it, replied l.
Don't | thought Come with me and
see.n
Without a word to the other officers-for
the affair in which we were interesting our
selves could hardly have been reported at
headquarters without getting somebody into
trouble-we set out.
Choosing retired path through the bushes
we took our way toward point on the rail-
eoad track mile or more to the eastward
of the Petersburg station.
1t was nearly train time. In few mo-
ments we expected to hear the shrill whistle
of the engine as the long train dashed by at
full speed on its way from Norfolk to Rich
mOnd.
The latter city was in that day something
more than cigarette mandatory; it W as
the capital of the Confederate States, and
the centre of interest for the Southern coun-
try, consequently everybody who could get
there went there, and the trains were al
ways crowded.
Reaching a point on the edge of the
woods, which commanded full view of the
railroad, my companion and | stopped to
look on.
We did not care to go further, for it would
not do for us to be known to have witnessed
what was about to tranSpire. Discipline
would have required us to report the mat
ter, which we felt little inclined to do.
For some time we waited in silence,
watching with much amusement the prepa-
ratiOns then progressing.
Close to the railroad there had gathered a
great crowd of the most ingenious scape-
graceS of the camp, who cared about as
much for other peoples rights, where their
own wants are concerned, as the average
man does for those Of a hen when his appe-
tite is whetted for eggs.
A number had long brushwood brooms in
their hands, and those who had not were
eagerly providing themselves from the I'M
dergrowth at hand.
The explanation given me of the business
in hand had designedly been meagre. Just
enough to whet my curiosity.
"What will they do with the bushes they
are in such hurry to get readyp in
quired
"Wait little; you'll see presently"
Just then a number of men were seen to
fall on their knees beside the track.
What are they doing now"
'Only putting powder and caps on the
track"
''They are l / going to blow up the
trains"
ooh, no; the train won't be hurt. They
only want to attract the attention of the
passengers
A shrill whistle announced that the loco
motive was at hand
Round the curve she came a moment later
gliding majestically and hurrying along
serpentine train of crowded passengers.
Everything was excitement the moment
the whistle sounded. Hither and thither
rushed the men in two lines, taking up their
position, brush in hand, up and down the
track.
Nearer came the engine. Every brush
was drawn back over the shoulder and the
rascals that held them stood breathless and
excited in attitude to strike.
Into the crowd, between the two long
files of men and brushwood lining the track
on both Sides dashed the putting train
Bang! Fiz! Shoe! Bang"
The caps had exploded, setting the pow
der train ON fire, which, with loud report,
enveloped the flying cars with an impene-
trable cloud of smoke.
Out of the windows came the passengers
heads arrayed in good new hats fresh from
the shops of the Norfolk hatters.
Now was the suspicious moment.
''Slash! Vip! Swish" come the brush
wood switches across the heads and faces of
the passengers.
The train is gone; it was here but an in
slant; but the ground is covered with the
latest styles of the Norfolk hatters' art, and
the bareheaded boys are on their ragged
knees scrambling to find a comfortable fit
from the plentiful supply of hobby shapes
thus suddenly provided.
In the meantime the passengers for Rich
mond can wipe the blood and perspiration
from their lacerated faces and curse their
curiosity at leisure.
They can buy new hats at Richmond, and
need not grudge the lost ones.
The enterprise which won them deserved
reward, and the heads they now cover APP
preciate the luxury.